Float switch



April 6, 1937- R. Y. FoxwELL 2,076,454

FLOAT SWITCH Inventor Byw im; M

Attorney 5 April 6, 1937. R. Y. FoxwELl. l 2,076,454

` FLOAT SWITCH Filed Dec. ll, 1935 2 Sheets-Shea?l 2 Inventor By@ m5@ 1 ,ww M 7 i 5 A tlorneys Patented Apr. 6, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a unique structural assemblage which, in a unitary sense, may be referred to briefly as a safety gauge equipped fuel holder or container.

The invention has more specific reference t0 the inverted type oil reservoir or supply means susceptible of being used on oil heating apparatus, and so-c-alled kitchen cooking stoves or ranges.

The preferred embodiment of the invention embodies a regular gallon capacity glass bottle having an especially equipped closing cap formed with a float-controlled switch, said switch-l equipped end of the container being adapted to be supported in the oil feeding pan, such as is connected with the burners or other appliances.

Specific novelty is predicated on the one hand on the basin type holder constructed to accommodate special float and switch means, and itself having a special rim formed with an insulated contact ring in order to satisfactorily accomplish the desired results.

Additional novelty resides in particular in a special closing cap of an insulated character, this having a iloat and switch structure associated therewith as well as a fuel control discharge valve.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and dr-awings.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing the complete assemblage and the manner in which it operates.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the special switch equipped tank or container valving and closing unit.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the so-called basin illustrating the audible signal wiring associated therewith.

The purpose of the invention is, obviously, to give an audible signal when the supply of oil is too low for safe stove operation.

Calling attention first to Figure l it will be observed that the transparent oil tank or container is indicated by the numeral 4 and comprises a gallon type glass jar to contain the oil or other fuel 5. It includes a threaded neck 6 and when the device is in use the jar is inverted as shown in the drawings.

A special closure unit is associated with the neck 6. This comprises a screw c-ap I constructed of insulation material. Connected with this and projecting therefrom is a spring metal contact arm or finger 8. This has the configuration illustrated better in Figure 1 and the inner end portion thereof extends through an aperture in the cap and into the cap where it terminates in a yieldable contact element or point 9.

The control valve comprises a hollow or tubular stem Il), slidably mounted in a central guide aperture in the cap and having a stop disk II at its inner end. There is a somewhat larger presser foot or disk I2 at the opposite outer 10 end of the valve tube. The oil enters the tube through the inlet port I3 and is discharged through the outlet port I4.

Attached to and projecting into the jar from the cap is a metal casing I which may be conveniently referred to as a cage or guide for the hollow metal float I6. Incidentally, the oil from the main chamber enters the float casing I5 by way of suitable apertures Il. The float has an elevated bottom I8 defining an annular circuit make and break rim I9. This rim is disposed directly above and is intended to come down into engagement with the spring contact element 9 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. This happens when the level of the oil goes down suiiiciently low to permit the float to drop down to circuit closing position. At the same time the elevated bottom I8 rests on the metal disk or head II and completes the circuit in a manner to be hereinafter described.

'Ihe basin or pan is denoted by the numeral I9 and includes an outlet leading to the feed or supply pipe 2l which is in turn connected with the stove (not shown). The rim of the basin is indicated at 22 and is fashioned to serve as a seat or rest for the inverted glass tank 4, On its upper side the rim carries a metal contact annulus or ring 23 and interposed between this and the rim is an insulator 24. As shown in Figure 1 the free end of the contact 8 extends out and is in electrical engagement with the annulus 23 when the device is set up for operation. It is yet to be mentioned that the cutoff valve is of a spring-pressed type, that is it includes a suitable coiled spring 25 which normally keeps the valve closed, that is pulls the Valve stem through the cap 'I to normally close the inlet ports I3 in an obvious manner.

In Figure 3 the numeral 26 designates the battery, 2'l indicates a bell, 28 indicates a wire extending from the battery to the annulus or ring 23, 29 indicates the bell Wire which is grounded on the pipe 2|. It is evident therefore, that when the inverted glass tank is placed in the bowl or basin the valve is pushed open to allow the oil to flow from the jar or tank through the pipe 2| as needed. This also places the structure in readiness to sound the alarm when the level of the oil is abnormally low. The oil enters through the top opening l'l in the casing l5 as Well as through the bottom slot 3Q. As the float I6 goes down with the fall of the oil column it is evident that the rim t9 comes into engagement With the spring-contact element 9. Almost simultaneous ly the elevated bottom i8 comes into contact with the head or disk l l and this closes the circuit and sounds the alarm as is obvious.

rlhe novelty as set forth in the adjoined claim is primarily structural and is directed to the structure collectively and partly.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates Will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and the arrangement of details coming Within the eld of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

An attachment for jar necks of the class described comprising a screw cap constructed of electrical insulating material, a tubular springpressedl normally closed Valve in the bottom portion of said cap, said valve being constructed of electrical conducting material and in its open position having its inner end projecting into said cap, a yieldable electrical contact element in said cap, an electrical conducting member secured to said contact element and extending through said cap, a float guide secured to said cap enclosing said electrical contact element and having an aperture in the upper portion thereof, said guide enclosing the inner portion of said valve, a float mounted in said guide constructed of electrical conducting material, a bottom constructed of electrical conducting material in said float spaced from the rim thereof, the rim of said float and the bottom thereof being simultaneously cooperable respectively with the electrical contacting element and the projected end of said valve in said rim for effecting an electrical conducting path therebetween.

ROLAND Y. FOXWELL. 

